lesson 9 ethics research methods Flashcards
what do all researchers have to follow?
code of ethics published by the British Psychological Society
what are the rules researchers have to follow?
informed consent
protection from harm
right to withdraw
confidentiality
avoid deception
debriefing
what is informed consent?
participants must sign a consent form
form should explain the general purpose of the study and what it involves
investigators should inform participants of the objectives of their investigation and gain their informed consent to take part
what is protection from harm?
participants must be protected from psychological and physical harm during the study
risk of harm must not be greater than in ordinary life
study must be stopped if they suspect a participant may be harmed
what is right to withdraw?
all participants must be made aware of their right to leave the study at any time and they must be payed for the whole time even if they leave
participants must also be made aware that they can withdraw their data at any time until it is published
if participants seem distressed they must be reminded of their right to withdraw
what is confidentiality?
participant’s data is confidential and should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance
numbers or letters should be used instead of names if the research is published
what does anonymity mean?
means that is cannot be as traced back to a name as participants never gave their name in the first place
what does confidentiality mean?
data cannot be traced back to a name
what is avoiding deception?
intentional deception of the participants over the purpose and general nature of the investigation should be avoided when possible
participants should not be deliberately misled without scientific or medical justification
if deception is used because otherwise the participant would object or show unease, it should not be used
